Egg on govt’s face as another economist resigns over Atif Mian’s exclusion

–Dr Imran Rasul says stepping down from EAC because govt based its decision of sacking noted economist due to his Ahmadi faith

–Says ‘truth be told; if there was one academic on the EAC that Pakistan needs, it was Atif Mian’

ISLAMABAD: After the dismissal of Dr Atif R Mian and subsequent resignation of Dr Asim Ijaz Khwaja in protest, another member of the Economic Advisory Council (EAC) Dr Imran Rasul quit the body on Saturday, citing removal of Dr Mian due to his Ahmaddiya faith.

The EAC had 18 members, including three international economists of Pakistani origin, at the time of its establishment; however, with the resignation of two members and sacking of another, all three international economists on the council are no longer part of the advisory body.

London-based economist Dr Imran Rasul announced his resignation in a series of tweets.

“With a heavy heart, I have resigned from the EAC this morning. The circumstances in which Atif was asked to step down are ones I profoundly disagree with. Basing decisions on religious affiliation goes against my principles, or the values I am trying to teach my children,” he tweeted.

With a heavy heart, I have resigned from the EAC this morning. The circumstances in which Atif was asked to step down are ones I profoundly disagree with. Basing decisions on religious affiliation goes against my principles, or the values I am trying to teach my children. (1/5)

— Imran Rasul (@ImranRasul3) September 8, 2018

Criticising the capitulation of the government treatment meted out to Mian for political point-scoring, the economist wrote: “The establishment of the EAC and its members offered a great opportunity for better economic policy. Events these past 10 days have shown the best and worst of Pakistani politics at the moment. (2/5).”

The establishment of the EAC and its members offered a great opportunity for better economic policy. Events these past 10 days have shown the best and worst of Pakistani politics at the moment. (2/5)

— Imran Rasul (@ImranRasul3) September 8, 2018

“Truth be told; if there was one academic on the EAC that Pakistan needs, it was Atif Mian. Resolving the macro and fiscal mess the country is in will lay the bedrock for social protection, poverty alleviation policies and other economic reforms the country also needs. (3/5),” he added.

Truth be told, if there was one academic on the EAC that Pakistan needs, it was @AtifRMian. Resolving the macro and fiscal mess the country is in will lay the bedrock for social protection, poverty alleviation policies and other economic reforms the country also needs. (3/5)

— Imran Rasul (@ImranRasul3) September 8, 2018

“Pakistan is full of talent: I have seen this in the students/academics/NGOs/civil servants I have been lucky to work with. It needs leaders willing to draw on all this talent, and who are willing to appeal to our better sides, for the common good and not sow division. (4/5),” the economist added.

Pakistan is full of talent: I have seen this in the students/academics/orgs/NGOs/civil servants I have been lucky to work with. It needs leaders willing to draw on all this talent, and that are willing to appeal to our better sides, for the common good and not sow division. (4/5)

— Imran Rasul (@ImranRasul3) September 8, 2018

He ended his tweets wishing the government and EAC luck in their future work and showed his willingness to “offer non-partisan, evidence-based advice” for the sake of the economic well-being of the country.

“I wish and remain willing to offer non-partisan, evidence-based advice that can help improve economic policymaking in the country. (5/5),” he added.

I wish the government and EAC luck in their future work, and remain willing to offer non-partisan, evidence based advice that can help improve economic policy making in the country. (5/5)

— Imran Rasul (@ImranRasul3) September 8, 2018

Moreover, in light of the government’s decision to remove Atif Mian from the EAC, on the basis of his faith, several academics associated with Lahore University Management and Sciences (LUMS), CDPR, and the Centre for Economic Research in Pakistan (CERP) are reportedly reviewing their decisions to serve on public sector task forces.

The PTI government has received severe backlash from the progressive segments of society after it backtracked on Dr Atif Mian’s nomination three days after its Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry vowed not to bow down to “extremists”. The government had been under pressure from religious outfits, like Tehreek-e-Labbaik Pakistan, to sack Mian for being an Ahmadi since his nomination to the council.

Consequently, PTI Senator Faisal Javed Khan issued a statement on Friday, saying Atif Mian “agreed to give up his position on the council”.

Info Minister Chaudhry confirmed the development, saying the decision was made to avoid ‘divisions in the country’.

“The government wants to move forward alongside scholars and all social groups, and it is inappropriate if a single nomination creates an impression to the contrary,” he had tweeted.